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Siletz River flood warning

News Release
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Siletz River 12/18/25 Photo by Don Williams, publisher

Lincoln County Community Members,

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Siletz River in effect from Thursday, December 18 to Friday, December 19. Current estimates show the Siletz River reaching 24.3 ft this evening, December 18. Additionally, significant rainfall in Lincoln County may cause hazardous conditions in other parts of the county including local flooding and possible landslides.

What – Moderate flooding is forecast.


Where – Siletz River
When – This afternoon to early tomorrow afternoon
Impacts – Above 25.0 feet, expect major flooding, with evacuations of residences and areas along the Siletz River between mile post 2.5 and mile post 5 on State Highway 229 near Sunset Landing downstream to Coyote Rock. Stay tuned to local media sources and law enforcement information for details.
Read the NWS Alert here: iNWS Alert


Additional Details:

At 9:30 AM PST Thursday the stage was 7.9 feet.
Bankfull stage is 12.0 feet.
Forecast …The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening and crest around 24.3 feet late this evening. It will then fall below flood stage Friday morning.
Flood stage is 16.0 feet
http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
If you live in the area, please take action now to prepare:

Allow for extra driving time, check ODOT Trip Check or 511 before you go in the affected area
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive through flooded areas.
Check on vulnerable neighbors, friends and family that may be affected
Periodically check your property, stream banks, buildings for effects from the storm event
Use sandbags to reroute water away from structures
Stay informed:
Monitor National Weather Service information and updates (website or Facebook)
NWS Watches/Warnings for Lincoln County
Check current conditions page on County EM website
Check specific river levels on County EM Website
Check your Lincoln Alerts profile if you want to receive alerts specifically for the Alsea, Salmon, Siletz, Yachats, and Yaquina rivers co.lincoln.or.us/alerts
Those with addresses in the FEMA flood plains are pre grouped to receive flood notification messages based on their location.
Resources – Lincoln County EM Website

Flooding and River Levels
Current Conditions (Alerts and Warnings)
NWS Weather Information
Lincoln County Sandbag Station information available here.
Road Conditions – Trip Check or dial 5-1-1
Utility Power Outages

Gale warnings through Monday 12/15

Don Williams
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Gale warnings through Monday 12/15
Gale warning through 12/15. Image by Grok AI

The Northwest Weather Service (NWS) issued a Gale Warning (a serious alert for strong storm-level winds at sea) on December 13. It covers ocean waters off the northern Oregon coast and southern Washington coast.

Affected area: The Pacific Ocean waters along the coast from Cape Shoalwater (near the southern Washington coast, just north of the Columbia River mouth) down to Cape Foulweather (near Depoe Bay on the central Oregon coast). This includes: Close to shore (out to about 10 nautical miles).
Farther offshore (10 to 60 nautical miles out).

Timing: Small Craft Advisory (caution for smaller boats): Starts tonight (December 14) around 7 PM and lasts through Sunday night (December 14) around 10 PM.
Gale Warning (more dangerous conditions): Kicks in Sunday night around 10 PM and continues until Monday afternoon (December 15) at 4 PM.

Expected conditions: During the Small Craft Advisory: Waves 6–9 feet high, combined with south winds blowing steadily at 17–29 mph (gusts up to 34 mph). This is rough enough to make boating tricky or unsafe for smaller vessels.

During the Gale Warning: Much worse – waves building to 13–18 feet tall, with strong south winds of 34–46 mph (gusts up to 57 mph). These are gale-force winds, creating very hazardous, choppy seas.

Why it’s dangerous: Strong winds and big waves can flip or damage boats (especially smaller ones), make steering nearly impossible, and drastically cut visibility due to spray and rough water. The NWS says these conditions are hazardous for most vessels – even experienced boaters should stay off the water if possible. 





ODFW sets new groundfish regulations

Don Williams
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ODFW sets new groundfish regulations



free fishing daySALEM, Ore.— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) set 2026 groundfish regulations during their meeting in Salem today.

The daily catch limit for lingcod will increase from 2 to 3 fish next year, since, in their words, “Lingcod populations are healthy and bycatch of yelloweye rockfish (a protected species) is still low”.

The daily limit for general marine bag limit (rockfish, greenlings, cabezon, etc.) would stay at 4 fish all year in 2026, with a sub bag limit of 2 canary rockfish (up from 1 fish last year). The 4-fish daily limit is necessary due to continued high effort and catch rates for rockfish. In 2025, a planned 5-fish summertime bag limit had to be reduced back to 4 in August and then to 3 fish in September as the popular fishery approached the harvest guideline much earlier than expected.

ODFW says it continues to work with coastal anglers to understand their preferences for managing black rockfish which are the main driver of the general marine bag limit and season. Some are now leaning toward higher daily limits, even if it means a shorter season — which could influence future rules. The black rockfish harvest guideline for 2026 is slightly higher than last year but remains well below levels prior to 2024.

After hearing an informational briefing from staff on Columbia River hook requirements and from anglers in favor of a change, Commissioners directed staff to continue talks with Washington about mainstem hook regulations.

Commissioners acknowledged that changing the rule could impact complex joint fisheries management with Washington and reduce fishing days. They also discussed the timing and staff capacity for an additional workload while staff are involved in ongoing agency priority tasks, on top of day-to-day fisheries management.

Barbless hooks have largely been required since 2013. Some believe that switching to barbed hooks could make it easier for anglers to land fish and align regulations between the mainstem and tributaries. However, it could also shorten fishing seasons due to more fish being landed and retained.

“As commissioners, we seek to understand and respond thoughtfully when constituents bring forth these recommendations,” said Commissioner Labhart.

“I want our constituents to know we heard them— we are having this conversation because we did,” said Commissioner DeFrees. “But this issue isn’t simple.”

Lincoln City council seek 4th of July celebration input

News Release
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Lincoln City council seek 4th of July celebration input
photo by Don Williams, Homepage publisher

Lincoln City Town Hall Meeting – Fourth of July Celebration
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Lincoln City Community Center, 2150 NE Oar Pl.

Lincoln City’s City Council members are asking for input from the public about what the City should do for Fourth of July celebrations. The City invites residents and business owners to the Town Hall meeting to provide feedback on how they would like to see the Fourth of July celebrated.

Some of the questions the Council is looking for input on are:

What type of nighttime show should the City provide (if any)?
Should it be a multiple day celebration (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)?
Should the celebration focus on a certain part of town (Taft), or spread out across the city?

There will also be an opportunity for the public to ask questions of City Council members and City staff.

In 2026, the United States will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence. This is a significant milestone in our country’s history. Lincoln City wants to be the backdrop where residents and visitors can come together to join in this historic celebration.

Recall effort on County Commissioner Hall moves forward

News Release
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Recall effort on County Commissioner Hall moves forward

December 2, 2025

NEWPORT, Ore. — The Lincoln County Clerk today certified 3,940 valid signatures on the recall petition for Commissioner Claire Hall. With the required threshold met, Commissioner Hall now has five days to resign; if she chooses not to, she will force a recall election, which will be held on either Tuesday, January 6, or Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Chief Petitioner Christine Jamison issued the following statement:
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every resident who engaged in this effort,” Jamison said. “To the 4,882 who signed, thank you for taking the time to learn about the issues and to participate directly in our democratic process.”

Jamison also expressed deep gratitude to the 71 volunteers who collected signatures across the county over the past three months.

“Our volunteers stood outside grocery stores, visited neighborhoods, and talked with residents from every community,” she said. “Their dedication and integrity are the reason this petition succeeded.”

She noted that many residents expressed support even if they ultimately chose not to sign.

“We heard from people who supported the recall but didn’t feel comfortable signing for personal or professional reasons,” Jamison said. “Their encouragement and willingness to speak openly about their concerns meant a great deal. This was always about giving people a voice — whatever form that took.”

The recall election will proceed unless Commissioner Hall resigns during the statutory five-day period. Ballots will be mailed out no later than 14 days before the election.

“I encourage everyone to visit recallhall.com and learn more about the issues that led me to pursue this recall,” Jamison said.

NW Natural Warms Up Winter with “Fireside Friends” Pet Photo Contest

News Release
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NW Natural Warms Up Winter with “Fireside Friends” Pet Photo Contest
Photo generated by Grok AI

NW Natural is inviting customers to warm up this winter and celebrate their pets with the launch of the Fireside Friends Sweepstakes. The contest offers the chance to win a prize while also supporting a local charity.
Running now through February 1, 2026, the sweepstakes welcomes customers to share photos of their furry friends enjoying the warmth and comfort of a natural gas fireplace for the chance to win a $200 Chewy gift card.
NW Natural has also pledged a $1,000 donation to The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank, which helps support people and their pets throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

How to Enter:

NW Natural customers can enter the sweepstakes via social media in two simple steps:

Follow @nwnaturalgas on Instagram or Facebook. (Media can find some of the wonderful pet photos that have already been posted by customers on both platforms!)
Post a photo of their pet(s) cozying up by their natural gas fireplace and tag @nwnaturalgas or use the hashtag #nwnaturalgas.
The contest is open now and entries will be accepted until February 1, 2026. For full terms and conditions visit nwnatural.com/FiresideFriends

City Council to discuss 4th of July for 2026

Don Williams
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City Council to discuss 4th of July for 2026
Drone display 2025

On Monday December 1, 2025 the City of Lincoln City City Council will convene a Special Meeting to discuss plans for the 2026 Fourth of July celebrations.

As this was a hotly debated topic after the traditional fireworks display was replaced with a drone display in 2025, now is a time to begin offering input.

Special Meetings do not normally include a time for public comment so if you have an opinion on the matter, you should reach out to their respective Ward representatives at https://www.lincolncity.org/government/contact-us

Gleneden Beach Holiday Market

News Release
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Gleneden Beach Holiday Market

Saturday, November 22, 10am-4pm
Gleneden Beach Holiday Market
More than 25 vendors selling handmade gift items, including woodworking, bird houses, quilted items, pottery, jewelry, yard art, glass, baked items, jams, etc.

Bring a non-perishable food donation for Lincoln County Food Share. Gleneden Beach Community Hall, 110 Azalea St. FMI, visit glenedenbeach.org. Admission is free.

Vehicle fee increases will start December 31

Don Williams
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Vehicle fee increases will start December 31

 

(Image AI generated)

As part of House Bill 3991, vehicle title and registration fees will increase starting December 31. The transportation funding bill, passed on September 29, 2025. Oregon governor Tina Kotek finally signed the bill into law on Veteran’s Day.

Vehicle title and registration fee increases

The bill raises the state’s gas tax by six cents and increases title, registration, and other vehicle fees at the DMV. It also raises the state’s payroll tax by 0.1% for the next two years

  • Base title fees for nearly all vehicles (except heavy vehicles and salvage titles) will increase by $139.
  • Base registration fees for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, low and medium speed vehicles, and light trailers will increase by $42 per year.
  • An additional surcharge for vehicles with a combined rating of 40+ MPG and electric vehicles will increase by $30 per year.

  • Road usage charge

    In 2027, drivers of used electric vehicles will pay a two-year registration fee and will either be charged ​a flat fee or enroll in OReGO and pay by the mile​. This will go into effect for new electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles​ in 2028.​

Vehicle title, registration and renewal timelines

  • Oregon drivers pay a four-year registration fee for a brand-new passenger vehicle and a two-year registration fee when purchasing a used passenger vehicle or any time registration is renewed.
  • First-time registration fees for brand-new vehicles are based on the date registration begins.
    • Increased fees will apply to ​new registrations on or after December 31.
  • Renewal registration fees are based on the date the existing registration expires.
    • Increased fees will apply to registration renewals with expiration dates on or after Dec. 31, even if renewed early.​
  • Titles fees are the same for the vehicle type and MPG rating whether it’s a first-time title, title transfer, replacement or duplicate.
    • Increased fees will apply to title transactions taking place on or after December 31.

Governor Kotek’s delay in signing what she deemed an “emergency” is controversial, with some believing it’s a strategy to hinder Oregonians from gathering signatures for a referendum.

David GombergRepresentative David Gomberg (D-District 10) voted in favor of HB 3991.

Senator Dick Anderson (R-District 5) voted against the bill

State parks to no longer accept some permits beginning 2026

Don Williams
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State parks to no longer accept some permits beginning 2026

oregon state parksStarting January 1, 2026, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is discontinuing its participation in the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport starting Jan. 1, 2026. It is part of several changes for 2026 to increase revenue and decrease costs.

Oregon State Parks will also no longer accept Jackson County parking permits at state parks in Jackson County.

The impacted parks include TouVelle State Recreation Site and Valley of the Rogue State Park.

“We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Jackson County and the collaboration for this program, but we can no longer continue the program due to budget constraints. These changes are critical to sustaining state park operations and services now and for the future,” said South Central District Manager Dani Padilla.

OPRD is projecting a $14 million budget shortfall this biennium due to decreasing lottery revenue, increasing costs and a long-standing need for more sustainable funding. Oregon State Parks does not receive general-fund tax dollars for operations.




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